Job Details
| Region: | 13 |
| School District/Employer: | Texas Education Agency |
| District Category/Employer: | Texas Education Agency, |
| Position: | , |
| Assignment Level: | |
| Job Title: | Director of School Board Engagement (Director III) |
| School: | Texas Education Agency |
| Campus Description: | |
| Date Posted: | 3/1/2024 |
| Deadline: | Until Filled |
| Openings: | 1 |
| Commitment: | Full Time |
| Description/Notes: | MISSION: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems. Core Values: • We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students. • We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students. • We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students. • We are Servant Leaders: Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them. POSITION OVERVIEW: The Office of Governance strives to improve the governance and overall system-performance of local education agencies (LEAs) through the coordinated efforts of two primary workstreams: Field Support and Compliance & Investigations. The collaborative approach with the field, across the agency, and within the office is centered on supporting educational progress and improving outcomes for students in all Texas public schools. The Director of School Board Engagement will engage in high-stakes, strategic communications with, and provide governance supports for, school boards and school board members in all regions in the state. The director will proactively cultivate relationships and partner with school board members throughout Texas to understand the challenges districts are facing and to serve as a resource in the identification, adoption, and implementation of targeted systemic supports that provide governing teams with tailored best-practice approaches to school governance. In alignment with the agency’s mission and strategic priorities, the director will provide coaching and support to school boards and school board members that prioritizes strategic initiatives to support continuous improvement and a vision to create a better future for the students they serve. These initiatives and actions aim to improve the governing function and overall system performance of Texas school districts and involves work on three levels: working with school board members to address urgent needs, identifying and providing proactive supports to school boards, and implementing governance best practices. The Director of School Board Engagement will be a member of the Field Support team within the Office of Governance and will work closely with the Deputy Commissioner of Governance. The director will work independently with a high degree of autonomy and will be expected to exhibit high levels of self-motivation, initiative, and strategic thinking. This role does not directly manage any employees but will productively collaborate and engage with Office leadership, employees across the agency, legislators, district leaders, and other stakeholders to support school boards and school board members. Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates. Please note that a resume, tailored cover letter, and short answer responses are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Additionally, applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1. Stakeholder Engagement - Develop and implement communication and stakeholder-engagement strategies to build and maintain strong external relationships in support of agency initiatives, focusing primarily on school board members, but also including school district leadership, ESC leadership, and other external stakeholders; effectively collaborate and represent TEA on governance matters to internal and external stakeholders. 2. Thought Partnership and Advisory Support - Serve as a thought partner and strategic resource for school board members to assist with problem solving, strategic leadership, good governance, and district planning; provide strategic vision and guidance to the field on the adoption and implementation of research-based and best-practice approaches to school system design and board governance. 3. Develop Content Expertise - Develop expert-level understanding of agency priorities and strategic initiatives, especially including best-practices in school board governance that align with the Lone Star Governance framework; analyze trends in the field and identify opportunities to enhance services and supports provided by TEA to LEAs across the state to improve student outcomes; provide vision and leadership in the development of strategies and tools aligned with best practices in school system governance. 4. Training Development and Deployment - Create and provide trainings to school boards and school board members related to governance best practices. This essential function requires a deep understanding of school district local policy frameworks, operating procedures, and the Lone Star Governance framework. |
| Qualifications: | MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: • Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university • Experience: At least seven (7) years of combined experience demonstrating a deep knowledge of school governance research and best practices though progressive leadership in education; direct support to Local Education Agency (LEA) governance systems; and/or experience serving as a school board trustee. • Substitutions: Each additional year of related experience above the required minimum may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis. OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: • Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military • Deep knowledge of school governance research and best practices; direct experience with the LSG model is highly preferred but not required • Experience cultivating and building strategic relationships with the ability to authentically engage a wide range of stakeholders and foster strong relationships with senior leaders in legislatures, boards, and school districts; existing relationships with a network of Texas school district, higher education, and/or policy leaders • Excellent conceptual, systems, strategic, and analytical thinking skills • Exceptional leadership skills, including demonstrated vision-setting and coaching • High degree of understanding of the functions, processes, and challenges of school systems, superintendents, school boards, and educational service centers • Exceptional time and project management skills with a demonstrated track record of performance and successful implementation across multiple concurrent projects, shifting and competing priorities, and driving teams towards results • Extensive experience with business process re-engineering and optimization • Ability to become an LSG Coach within 12 months and maintain certification over the course of employment • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback, and continuously improve As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the military employment preference. To review the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to each job classification series in the State’s Position Classification Plan (provided by the State Auditor's Office), please access the Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) Guide and click on the military “occupational category” that corresponds with the state classification in this job posting title. This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency. No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. |
| Salary Range: | Salary (Pay Basis): 7,349.25 - 10,000.00 (Monthly) |
| Benefits: | |
| How To Apply: | Apply online: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/701/jobdetail.ftl?job=00040429&tz=GMT-06%3A00&tzname=America%2FChicago |
Contact Person:
| Name: | Emily Douno |
| Email: | recruitment@tea.texas.gov |
| Address: | 1701 N. Congress Ave. |
| City: | Austin |
| State: | TX |
| Zip: | 78701 |
| Phone: | (512) 463-8200 |
| Fax: | (512) 475-4293 |